Thermal analysis and enhanced visual technique for assessment of microplastics in fish from an Urban Harbor, Mediterranean Coast of Egypt.

Enhanced visual counting technique coupled with combustion analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was applied to assess microplastics (MPs) contamination in fish digestive tracts from Eastern Harbor, Egypt, to provide a simple and economic method for MPs assessment. This was the first study in Egypt to quantify MPs in fish. Plastic particles were detected in all fish samples, represented by seven thermoplastic polymers. The average number of MPs was at its highest level in Siganus rivulatus, Diplodus sargus, and Sardinella aurita (7527, 3593, and 1450MPs fish-1, resp.) and the lowest in Sphyraena viridensis and Atherina boyeri (46 and 28MPs fish-1, respectively). The average weight of MPs as measured by combustion ranged from 302mg kg-1 in S. rivulatus to 2mg kg-1 in Terapon puta.

Identification of marine microplastics in Eastern Harbor, Mediterranean Coast of Egypt, using differential scanning calorimetry.

Microplastic pollution has gained significant attention, and there are growing concerns about its potential effects on aquatic environments. The lack of proper solid waste management in Egypt has resulted in the accumulation of plastic litter and its deposition in waterways. However, no attempts have been made to identify or assess marine plastic litter in Egypt. We provide, for the first time, a precise, simple, and cost-effective method to identify microplastics in Eastern Harbor by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). This screening revealed the presence of ten polymers in seawater and shoreline sediments. Most of the extracted microplastics are secondary microplastics, as they appear to be remnants of larger plastic fragments.